Andrew Luck Sets NFL Record For Yardage By A Rookie QB

Andrew Luck has to be in consideration for NFL offensive rookie of the year. If he isn't, then why does the NFL bother making a big deal out of recording-breaking statistics?

Yet, again, Luck has shattered a rookie record. This time, it's the single-season yardage record, previously held by Cam Newton. Luck has passed for 205 yards on Sunday in the Colts 20-13 victory over the Chiefs. That puts Luck at 4,183 yards on the season, eclipsing Newton's mark of 4,051. Newton broke the previous record last season, and that record had been held for 15 seasons by Peyton Manning, who threw for 3,739 in 1998.

Amazingly, when you compare Luck's rookie season with Manning's, it's the Stanford kid who comes out looking better.

• Manning 1998- 56% completion, 3,739 yards, 26 touchdowns (NFL record for a rookie), 28 interceptions, 0 rushing touchdowns, QB rating of 71.2
• Luck 2012- 54% completion, 4,183 yards (new NFL record for a rookie), 21 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 5 rushing touchdowns, QB rating of 75.6

Kind of amazing, huh?

Even more amazing is that Sunday's game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, with the Colts tied with the Chiefs 13-all, was Luck's seventh of the season. That ties an NFL record not just for rookies, but for all QBs dating back to the 1970 merger. The last QB to have seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime in one season?

Peyton Manning, 2009.

Luck also shattered the most attempts in one season by a rookie QB. Luck's 34 passing attempts on Sunday but him at 599 on the season. the previous record was 590, held by Sam Bradford for his 2010 rookie year with the Rams.

Add in the fact that Luck has taken a 2-14 from a season ago and willed it to a 10-5 record this year, including a playoff berth... yeah, Luck should get heavy consideration for rookie of the year.